The night air grew heavier with each passing moment. The sky stretched wide and unobstructed, dotted with stars dimly visible through a thin veil of mist. A gentle breeze stirred, carrying with it whirling dry leaves. All who had gathered outside Liuyao Pavilion held their breath unconsciously, as the void above suddenly trembled, and three figures slowly stepped forth.
Moonlight fell directly upon them. A young man in a black robe exuded an almost serene calm, while beside him were two young women: one graceful as a celestial fairy, the other cloaked in red, radiating a wild, captivating beauty. Their presence seemed to slice through the tension of the night, adding a vibrancy no eye could resist.
Yao Yue, who had been holding back her unease, finally allowed a delicate smile to bloom. Her instincts had been correct; she had chosen Yifan wisely. The fear of conflict with the Yusheng Dynasty began to fade, replaced by relief, by a sense of safety. Yifan's presence was like a solid fortress, a reassurance that no one could intimidate her. She even felt fortunate that she had never crossed him.
Whispers spread among the crowd.
"Hey… am I seeing this right? Haven't I seen these three before?" a straw-hatted man rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
"Those two… weren't they the Heavenly Venerables who appeared a few days ago?" another voice trembled.
"What?! Heavenly Venerables?!"
"Yes! And that beautiful girl in red, that's the demoness the experts saved!"
The straw-hatted man jumped slightly in excitement. He had never expected to witness such legendary figures a second time. In his heart, it felt as though his own standing had risen simply by beholding them.
The whispers spread like wildfire over dry grass. Even the experts from prominent families and sects present that night began to turn, eyes fixed on the three figures with a mix of awe and trepidation.
Jingxue, standing slightly apart with a thin veil covering her face, could not hide her surprise. Could these be the people she had been seeking all this time? According to rumor, they were still so young. Yet precisely because of their youth, a sense of unease gnawed at her. Her usually calm fingers clenched slightly beneath her sleeves, and a faint smile appeared under her veil, almost imperceptible.
Her subtle reaction did not escape the notice of the man in white beside her, her guardian. His young lady, usually as cold as ice and rarely showing emotion, now smiled at strangers? A subtle pang of jealousy pricked at his heart, though he forced it down.
"Jingxue, are they the experts you mentioned?" Linghan, also at her side, could not hide her admiration.
Her gaze lingered on Yifan and the two girls beside him, as though she were looking upon gods descended from the heavens. Her voice trembled with awe.
---
Meanwhile, Yifan stood calm in the center of attention. His gaze was gentle, betraying no flicker of emotion, as if the surrounding clamor were mere whispers of the wind, unworthy of notice.
Yun Xi, standing gracefully beside him, shared in Yifan's tranquility. Her purple gown, draped elegantly over her shoulder, seemed to glow under the moonlight, causing many to gasp at her beauty.
Xue Yao, the girl in red whose dress revealed more of her form, felt a stir of emotion within her. In the past, she had been met with suspicion and hatred, deemed a harbinger of disaster. Yet tonight, for the first time in her life, she was met with admiration. She glanced at Yifan; without the young man in black, she would likely have long since been slain by her pursuers. A deep sense of gratitude filled her heart, alongside a warm, nascent emotion she had never felt before.
Yifan glanced briefly at Yao Yue, who was smiling toward him, and gave a small nod. Then, the three of them slowly descended to stand beside her. Yao Yue's heart swelled with a joy beyond description.
"Yao Yue, forgive me for not appearing sooner," Yifan said casually, his gaze fixed on her.
"What you say matters little, Young Master," Yao Yue replied, smiling.
"No matter if the Young Master appears or not, Yao Yue would not blame you," she added softly.
Yifan returned a faint smile, then turned his gaze toward Yu Tianlei and Yu Hanhai, still pinned to the ground, clearly under duress. With a simple flick of his hand, the oppressive aura restraining them dissipated, vanishing without a trace.
Chi Yang, who had only recently arrived, was startled. But he quickly lowered himself respectfully to stand beside Xue Yao. He knew from earlier reports that Yao Yue had brought three honored guests to Liuyao Pavilion. These must be the very individuals. He felt reassured, certain that the pavilion had received a great blessing.
"These three seniors are…?" Chi Yang asked, clasping his hands respectfully.
"Elder Chi Yang, they are the guests I invited. The story is long," Yao Yue replied swiftly, her eyes lingering appreciatively on Yifan.
Chi Yang paused, looking deeply at Yao Yue. She was truly worthy of leading Liuyao Pavilion. Her vision and courage surpassed anyone's expectations, earning his admiration. Relief softened his heart.
Meanwhile, on the Yusheng Dynasty's side, Yu Tianlei and Yu Hanhai were thrown into disarray. The two exchanged tense glances. Who were these three newcomers? Where had they come from? Amid the flood of questions, Yu Hanhai suddenly remembered their emergence from the rift in space. A flash of terror crossed his eyes.
'Heavenly Venerables!' he thought in horror.
Yu Hanhai trembled. Why him, tonight? Why must he be the unlucky one? Why not some older, more experienced elder from the dynasty? Regret weighed heavily on his chest.
Yu Tianlei froze. Moments ago, he had been able to laugh with satisfaction; now, his face was blank. Yet he forced himself to calm down swiftly.
'No… I am no clown. Yusheng Dynasty has its own Heavenly Venerables. They cannot underestimate me,' Yu Tianlei thought.
Yet doubt lingered in his eyes. He inhaled deeply, held it, and exhaled slowly, as if preparing himself for something arduous. It brought him a measure of calm.
"You three are truly…" Yu Tianlei began, but Yu Hanhai hurriedly interrupted.
"Three seniors, from where do you hail?" he asked with an uncharacteristically respectful tone. Clearly, he had forgotten the shame that had overwhelmed him moments ago.
Yifan regarded them both with a faint smile. Yun Xi, standing beside him, caught that subtle expression, a slight, quiet smile that hinted at trouble.
'Ah, yet another soul will meet misfortune,' Yun Xi thought.
Seeing Yifan remain silent, Yu Hanhai felt a bitter pang in his heart. Was this truly the end of the road for him? Panic coursed through his veins.
"We are merely wanderers, without any backing," Yifan said casually.
"Uh, this…" Yu Hanhai was struck dumb.
Unbelievable. But who would dare challenge such a figure directly? Even if Yifan's words were true, provoking someone of his power would be tantamount to seeking death.
Yu Tianlei could only clench his fists beneath his robes. Rage burned in his chest, yet he trained himself to swallow it silently.
'Just wait until I return to the Dynasty.' He thought.
Yu Tianlei seethed at the situation, his powerlessness. Once, he had been respected as a mighty prince; now, he had been humiliated repeatedly, pressed to the ground. Hatred boiled within him.
Yet before any plan could form, the air suddenly turned cold. The wind picked up slightly, as if aware of the silent tension.
It brushed against Yifan, who had been watching Yu Tianlei carefully, noting the subtle reaction. Though Yu Tianlei appeared powerless outwardly, he was plotting maliciously within. Yifan's gaze sharpened, a spark of thought igniting in his mind.
'Yu Tianlei… Yu Tianlei, even heaven itself aids me. Tonight, you will not return in peace.'
Yifan's mind spoke quietly. It seemed he was about to act. Would he make his move officially?